A Nigerian pastor, Timothy Omotoso, has been deported from South Africa after spending eight years in jail. Last month, he was found not guilty of 32 charges, including rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.
His release caused anger in South Africa, as many people felt the case was not handled properly by the prosecutors. A judge said the legal team made serious mistakes during the trial.
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The 66-year-old pastor was seen at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport wearing a grey hoodie and sunglasses, talking to an immigration officer before his departure to Nigeria. It is not clear exactly when his flight left.
Omotoso leads a church called Jesus Dominion International (JDI), based in Durban, South Africa, with branches in Nigeria and Israel.
Although he was found not guilty, South African immigration authorities rearrested him on May 10 for immigration issues. A court later ordered his release, stating he could not be held for more than 48 hours without being officially charged.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it will appeal the court’s decision to clear Omotoso of the rape charges and will investigate how the case was managed. The NPA believes there is still a chance to win the case in a higher court.